Lucknow: In preparation for the upcoming Mahakumbh Mela in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has issued strict directives to ensure the safety of devotees and the smooth flow of traffic in and around the city. The Chief Minister emphasized that whether within the Mela premises or on the routes leading out of Prayagraj, there should be no disruption in traffic movement.
Increased Vigilance in Border Areas
CM Yogi stressed that it is the administration’s responsibility to ensure the safe journey of every devotee to their destinations. To achieve this, arrangements have been instructed at all railway stations and bus depots in Prayagraj to prevent overcrowding. Special trains and additional buses are to be arranged in coordination with the Railways and the Transport Corporation.
Enhanced Patrolling and Facilities for Devotees
The Chief Minister directed increased patrolling on all routes leading to Prayagraj to ensure uninterrupted traffic flow. Additionally, he ordered the establishment of holding areas equipped with adequate food and drinking water for devotees. District administrations in Ayodhya, Varanasi, Mirzapur, and Chitrakoot have been instructed to remain vigilant, ensuring the safety and convenience of pilgrims.
Deployment of Senior Officials
To further strengthen the administrative setup, senior officials have been deployed in Prayagraj. Notably, Ashish Goyal, who served as Divisional Commissioner during Kumbh 2019, and Bhanu Goswami, former Vice Chairman of the Allahabad Development Authority (ADA), have been reassigned. Five Special Secretaries and police officials at the Superintendent of Police level will also oversee operations until February 12, 2025.
Special Meeting Convened by the CM
Following an unfortunate incident during Mouni Amavasya, the Chief Minister held a late-night video conference with senior police and district officials from Prayagraj, Kaushambi, Varanasi, Ayodhya, Mirzapur, and other districts. CM Yogi reviewed the arrangements and received updates from the Additional Director General (ADG) and District Magistrate of Prayagraj.
Key Directives Issued by CM Yogi
- Crowd Control at Railway Stations: Special measures must be taken to manage crowds at Prayagraj’s railway stations. Railways should coordinate to ensure smooth operations of trains, including additional services.
- Additional Buses: The Transport Corporation has been instructed to operate extra buses for pilgrims.
- Facilities in Holding Areas: Adequate food, drinking water, and electricity supply should be ensured in holding areas near border regions.
- Traffic Management: Routes such as Ayodhya-Prayagraj, Kanpur-Prayagraj, Fatehpur-Prayagraj, Lucknow-Pratapgarh-Prayagraj, and Varanasi-Prayagraj must remain unobstructed.
- Street Vendor Management: Vendors in the Mela area should be relocated to designated spaces to avoid congestion.
- Preparations for ‘Amrit Snan’: Security and logistical arrangements for the Basant Panchami ‘Amrit Snan’ on February 3, 2025, must be thoroughly reviewed by the Chief Secretary and Director General of Police.
- Facilities in Neighboring Cities: Rising pilgrim numbers in Varanasi, Ayodhya, Mirzapur, and Chitrakoot call for holding areas, barricading, traffic management, and sufficient parking spaces.
The Chief Minister reiterated that ensuring the safety of every devotee is the government’s top priority. All departments involved in Mahakumbh operations have been instructed to exercise maximum vigilance and coordination.
